The Loch Ard Family Sculpture Trail in the heart of The Trossachs passes through a wide variety of terrain and past many impressive sights. passing Loch Ard, Loch Chon, the Duchray Water and Kelty Water. 16 miles longs it is a great routes for cyclists, walkers & horse riders.
The sculptures were commissioned by The Forestry Commission Scotland & Scottish Enterprise with a brief to “create representations of animals and birds as part of the natural food chain in the forest”.
The Cycling Trails: There are five cycling trails, suitable for cyclists for all abilities, ranging from 2 to 10 miles long. Easy to spot signposts have been placed at all junctions along the main cycle routes, and there’s a picnic place for you to rest and enjoy the view.
Where to start
There are 3 start points to choose from:
- The main car park in Aberfoyle Village.
- Milton car park, one and a half miles west of Aberfoyle. There’s an orientation point here which includes a map of the routes, an introduction to the Living in the Forest story, and details of key features.
- Kinlochard village, five miles further along the Milton road.
Features around the trails
Along the routes are 5 sound posts featuring toad, deer stag, great spotted woodpecker, buzzard & jay & sounds, recordings created by Aberfoyle primary school pupils.
The wildlife hide will give you a chance to see some of the animals that live around Loch Ard, including chainsaw sculptures and willow weavings ensure there is always something to see. There are Unusual seats & shelters with raised letters, symbols & listening tubes. Children are encouraged to find shapes, words, or listen for sounds which give interesting wildlife facts. There are also tables with wildlife-themed word searches engraved on the top.
Maps of the trail are available from the Visitor Centre in the Main Street Aberfoyle. From The Lodge (formerly known as the David Marshal Lodge Visitor Centre just above Aberfoyle on the Dukes Pass) and also at the start point at Milton attached to the walking map board.
A copy of the forest map showing the trails and other routes in the Loch Ard Forest can be downloaded and printed here.
To visit The Forestry Commission’s Sculpture Trail page click here.